Memorial Cardiac & Vascular Institute
Cardiac Surgery
Our team specializes in minimally invasive and off-pump (OP) procedures (without the use of the heart-lung machine) to perform heart valve repair, as well as coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) operations that use arteries and veins as grafts to detour around narrowed or obstructed coronary arteries.
Patients experience considerable benefits from these minimally invasive techniques in cardiac surgery. During an OP-CABG, the chest incision is two inches or smaller, rather than the longer longitudinal breast bone incision (median sternotomy). Smaller incisions are made in the legs for Endoscopic Vein Harvesting (EVH). This is to obtain veins for use as coronary bypass grafts. There is less post-operative incisional pain, faster recovery, and quicker return to work and full activity. Also, there is a decreased chance of infection and less need for blood transfusion. With “off pump” cardiac surgery, there is a reduced risk of stroke and memory loss.
Our cardiac surgical team is among the most experienced in Florida at performing the Maze Procedure, which is used to treat atrial fibrillation (an abnormal heart rhythm that causes irregular beating of the heart) by ablation (purposeful tissue destruction) of particular areas in the left atrium (upper chamber on left side of heart). The surgeons are equally skilled in the Transmyocardial Revascularization (TMR) procedure. TMR is performed on those suffering from angina due to coronary artery disease. Small canals are made through the heart wall to the left ventricle (the pumping chamber) to increase blood flow and stimulate the growth of new blood vessels.
Meet the Physicians at Memorial Healthcare System's Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery
Richard A. Perryman, MD
Chief of Cardiac Surgical Services
Richard A. Perryman, MD, Chief of Cardiac Surgical Services, an internationally acclaimed surgeon, is regularly listed in "America's Top Doctors." He has performed cardiac surgery for more than 25 years. Dr. Perryman specializes in adult and pediatric cardiac surgery and has a long history of leadership in the Florida medical community. He was instrumental in the development of the Cardiac Center at Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital at Memorial Regional Hospital and provides leadership to the adult cardiac surgery program.
Gary S. Allen, MD, FACS
Chief of Adult Cardiac Surgery
Gary S. Allen, MD, FACS, Chief of Adult Cardiac Surgery, provides extensive expertise and programmatic leadership to our cardiac and vascular team. In 2007, Dr. Allen was the 33rd surgeon in the world inducted into the "Beating Heart Hall of Fame,” an honor given by Guidant Corporation to the top cardiac surgeons who demonstrate exemplary off-pump procedure technique. Aside from being an accomplished, published author, Dr. Allen is also a highly sought speaker and course director. Clinical research, graduate medical education and patient education are important facets of his practice outside the operating room.
Michael Cortelli, MD
Cardiothoracic Surgeon
Michael Cortelli, MD, is a board-certified cardiothoracic surgeon who has performed or assisted in more than 4,000 heart surgeries. He specializes in minimally invasive surgical ablation of atrial fibrillation, mitral valve surgery and mechanical circulatory support. Dr. Cortelli brings a wide range of medical expertise and knowledge to the cardiac and vascular team, and he is dedicated to community outreach and education.
If you would like a referral to a physician, call Memorial Physician Referral Service toll-free at (800) 944-DOCS. We’re available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.